Wellbeing Support
Wellbeing and Support
Health and Sickness
If you become unwell during your Year in Industry, it is important that you follow company guidelines and procedures. If you are off work for more than a week you must also let our team know.
Ensure you register with a doctor local to where you are living; you can find a list of local surgeries on the NHS website here:
Support during your Year in Industry
We will be in contact with you regularly throughout your Year in Industry or Year in Professional Practice. You will be required to complete a very short form each month, as a regular check-in. This is an opportunity for you to raise any concerns.
We will also contact you at the 3-month and 6-month points, as your virtual visit. These visits will take place online, with an Employability and Placements Adviser and sometimes your academic supervisor.
Outside of these visits you can contact us at any point if you are concerned about anything at all.
Support and Wellbeing
You are still a student of the University of Kent and as such, if you experience any difficulties with your mental health or anything that prevents you from attending work or completing your duties, you can get in touch with our team, or access Student Support and Wellbeing's services (including emergency support):
Reasonable Adjustments and discussing your disability
Prior to starting your Year in Industry or Year in Professional Practice (and preferably when going through the approval process), we would encourage you to talk to the employer and our team if you have a disability or long-term health condition, if you feel it is relevant to do so and you are comfortable sharing this information.
Once you have disclosed this information, your employer is legally obligated to make Reasonable Adjustments to provide support, particularly throughout the recruitment stages to ensure that you are not at a disadvantage.
If you would like to discuss how to approach these conversations with your employer, please do contact our team or book a Quick Advice appointment.
Inclusive Learning Plans
If you have an ILP and are happy to discuss this with our team, please do so throughout the approval process so the advisers are aware and can ensure the support you require is implemented.
Equality, Diversity and Discrimination
During your placement you have the right to an equal workplace, free from discrimination and harassment.
If you experience any form of harassment or discrimination while in the workplace please ensure you alert your line manager immediately following the policies and procedures you would have received throughout your induction. Please also make our team aware so we can arrange support.
If you do not feel comfortable doing this, you can also report the incident to Kent's Report + Support service, here there are two options for you to report either anonymously, or with your details.